Gunshots prompt assault charge

PALMER -- Police arrested a Palmer man Saturday after he fired a rifle and a handgun inside his house on Gold Bullion Street, putting a woman in fear of her life, according to court documents.

Palmer police responded to the woman's 911 call reporting that she feared Richard D. Antonio, 50, would shoot her, charging documents said.

Trooper Edward Halbert said in an affidavit that he and another trooper arrived at 1:43 a.m. Saturday to find both occupants of the house intoxicated. Halbert ignored a warning to turn around so he could be searched for weapons, the affidavit said, and instead advanced on troopers.

An officer wrestled Halbert to the ground, but he still didn't cooperate so he was pepper-sprayed and put in back of a patrol car, charging documents said. Upon investigating the house, Halbert said in the affidavit he saw a bow just inside the front door as well as "arrows, an Indian hatchet, a knife, and numerous bullet holes in a wall in the kitchen.

"In the living room on the couch was a .22 rifle which had a .22 round jammed in the chamber. Laying next to the rifle was a large hatchet, several .22 rounds, and several arrows. On the other side of the wall with the bullet holes was the master bedroom which revealed one of the larger rounds went through the bedroom and exited the exterior of the house."

Halbert said he found three spent .44 rounds and 11 spent .22 rounds on the floor where the woman said Antonio had been firing his guns.

The woman told troopers she left the house earlier in the evening because Antonio was angry with her. When she returned, she found that Antonio had already shot an interior wall with arrows, charging documents said, adding, "The hatchet and knife were also stuck in the wall. Richard grabbed his handgun and rifle and proceeded to shoot holes in the wall."

A computer check by troopers determined there have been several disturbances and assaults at the home.

Antonio was lodged at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on a felony charge of third-degree domestic violence, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. Misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons and fourth-degree criminal mischief also were filed.